Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning “to cultivate”) is a term that has different meanings. However,the word” culture” is most commonly used in three basic senses: Excellence of taste in the fine arts and

humanities, also known as high culture; an integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning and the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization orgroup.

In all these senses Kerala has rich cultural heritage. It has a composite culture that got enriched through ages with the contributions of various people and races.The culture of Kerala formed and developed as a combination of Aryan and Dravidian influences. Cultural synthesis had been made possible as a result of its peculiar geographical position. The Dravidians had left a great cultural legacy, whose reflections are still very much evident in the customs and heritage
of Kerala.

 The history of the state is a fascinating narrative of unique cultural fusion and social integration. Kerala has responded positively to every challenge and demonstrated its ability to adapt and combine old traditions and new values.

People from Kerala have contributed immensely to cultural heritage of the country. The culture of Kerala in the widest sense of the term embraces the human spirit in every sphere of life. In totality it represents “the quintessence of the collective achievements of a people in the fields of religion and philosophy, language and literature, art and architecture, education and learning and social organisation”.The people of Kerala are simple, culturally inclined and traditional, with a love for feasts and festivals.Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. The people in Kerala are referred to as MalayaIees.However, there are many English speaking communities in Kerala. According to the 2001 census, the state has attained a literacy rate of 90.86 percent, which is highest in the country.